Pastor and legal practitioner re- arraigned for raping 12-year- old girl

The Lagos State government, yesterday re- arraigned one Pastor who is also a legal practitioner, Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni(m) before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja for the allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl .

Akanni was re- arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi on an amended three -count charge bordering on the indecent treatment of a child, assault occasioning harm and unlawful sexual intercourse.

One of the charge reads:
Aka- Bashorun Olawale Akanni (m) on or about 2012 to year 2014 at Onike Iwaya , Lagos in the Ikeja Judicial Division did unlawfully assault one( F) aged between 12 years and 14 years by using a sharp instrument to cut her naked body, thereby causing her physical injuries and leaving her with permanent scar.

This offence is contrary to section 173 of the Criminal Law cap C 17, vol 3 laws of Lagos State, 2015

Another charge reads:
Aka- Bashorun Olawale Akanni (m) on or about 2012 to year 2014 at Onike Iwaya , Lagos in the Ikeja Judicial Division did have unlawful sexual intercourse with one( F) aged between 12 years and 14 years by inserting your penis in her vagina

This offence is contrary to section 137 of the Criminal Law cap C 17, vol 3 laws of Lagos State, 2015

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

During the re- arraignment, a mental health counsellor, Dr Rosemary Ogedengbe, the fifth prosecution witness ( PW5)
led in her evidence in chief by the Lagos State Counsel, Mrs Olufunmilayo Aluko testified against the defendant . Ogedengbe said she had handled over 1,000 sexual abuse cases and worked at Ceceyara Child Advocacy Centre, Gbagada, for eight years.
“When a child is sexually abused by someone they hold in a position of trust, the child will be afraid to talk. She said
“There is cohesion which bring about fear. She added

However,the court adjourned the case until Jan.13, 2027 for the defendant to open his defence.